Improvement in store-counters



W. VULKLAN U More Go unters.

Patented July 27, 1875.

QMW W UNITED $TATES PATENT Qrrron.

WILLIAM VOLKLAND, or FOND Du LAO, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN STORE-COUNTERS.

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 166,043, dated July 27, 1875; application filed March 29, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WM. VOLKLAND, of

, Fond du Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Store Counters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawlugs.

My invention relates to store-counters and the invention consists of a counter made in box form, having on one side curved lids, arranged to move in the arc of a circle, and having on the opposite side hinged lids, so constructed that when raised they can be shoved inward part way, and be held in a horizontal position, and thus made to serve as a shelf to support goods, as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view, of the counter.

I construct myimproved counter in the form of a box, as represented in Fig. 1, in which A represents the top, the interior space serving as a receptacle for goods. It is made widest about midway of its height, and on one side it is provided with segmental or curved lids D, which are supported at their ends in suitable grooves, so that they can be slid upward and backward underneath the top A, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, there being a cleat, 11, arranged to support the lid D when thus shoved inward.

It is obvious, however, that instead of the cleats b, grooves may beformed in the uprights, in which the cover may slide and be held in a similar manner.

Upon the opposite side of the counter is arranged a lid, B, which is hinged at its upper edge to a corresponding piece, 0, which latter is arranged to slide back and forth under the top A upon strips or cleats a, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the lid B is raised to a horizontal position and shoved in a short distance, it will rest upon the outer ends of the cleats a, and thus be held in a horizontal position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position it may be shoved entirely in under the top A, or it may be left protruding far It will be observed that the two lids B and v D are so arranged that both can be opened or closed separately or simultaneously without at all interfering one with the other.

This counter, while it may be used for drygoods, is especially adapted for use in grocery stores, or wherever groceries are to be sold.

As represented in Fig. 2, the counter, whatever its length, is to be divided by partitions into a series of compartments, each being provided with its own lids B and D.

The articles to be sold-sugar, coffee, and the likeare stored in the several compartments, where the customer, by raising the curved lids D, can examine and compare the several kinds without the attendant being compelled to present samples in a scoop or otherwise, as is'the usual custom, the attendant thus being free to devote his time to sewing other customers in the meantime.

When an article is required the attendan has but to raise the lid B and shove it in out of the way, when he has ready access to the contents of the compartment without turning around and obtaining it from bins or barrels in'his rear, as is the ordinary method.

If desired, the front lids D may be provided with glass, through which the articles may be seen without raising the lids, in which case, also, they may be provided with fastenings to prevent pilfering, these fastenings being preferably arranged to be operated by the attendant from behind the counter, so they can be released and the lid D raised whenever desired.

A counter thus constructed is not only very convenient, saving time and labor, but also afl'ords great economy of space, as the goods can thus be stored under the counter, thus utilizing space not ordinarily available for that purpose.

These counters can be readily made as in dependent articles of manufacture, like other cabinet-ware, of various sizes, and thus be furnished to the public to be used wherever desired.

I am aware that the curved lid D and the hinged sliding lid B have before been used in other connections, and I do not claim them as both opening' upon opposite sides into the same com jiartinent, the Whole being constructed to operate substantially as described.

' WILLIAM VOLKLAND.

separate or new devices; but

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- A store-counter composed of one or more Witnesses:

EDWI). H. JONES,

compartments, with the top A, the curved sliding lid D, and the hinged sliding lid B, WM..ENCKING. 

